OPINION: In this time of uncertainty, doubt and discord, there was one thing we thought we could rely on: Australia's cricketers' unyielding ability to bad-mouth opponents. Whole books have been written about their vocal skills, documentary series...

OPINION: In this time of uncertainty, doubt and discord, there was one thing we thought we could rely on: Australia's cricketers' unyielding ability to bad-mouth opponents. Whole books have been written about their vocal skills, documentary series commissioned extolling their comic extemporising. These have long been the lords of the one-liner, the masters of the riposte. Generations of opponents' knees have buckled at the power of their put-downs.

OPINION: At one point at Optus Stadium on Monday morning, umpire Chris Gaffaney stood between rival captains Tim Paine and Virat Kohli, separating them as a referee might separate two boxers. "That's enough," he said. "You guys are the captains. Play the...

OPINION: At one point at Optus Stadium on Monday morning, umpire Chris Gaffaney stood between rival captains Tim Paine and Virat Kohli, separating them as a referee might separate two boxers. "That's enough," he said. "You guys are the captains. Play the game."